The effect of pretransplant platelet transfusions on renal allograft survival and sensitization in dogs1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Mongrel dogs were given either whole blood (50 ml) or platelets prepared from 50 ml blood i.v. on 3 occasions before transplantation of a kidney from a donor different from that of the blood or platelets. All dogs were given azathioprine and prednisolone after transplantation. A yield of 60 x 108 platelets was obtained from 50 ml blood and the leukocyte contamination was less than 1 leukocyte/105 platelets. The mean survival of kidney allografts in non-transfused dogs was 11.6 days (10 dogs), in dogs pretreated with whole blood 26.6 days (5 dogs) and in dogs pretreated with platelets 29.2 days (5 dogs). Sensitization occurred in 3 of 5 dogs given whole blood and in 2 of 5 dogs given platelets. Pretreatment with relatively pure preparation of platelets evidently produces prolongation of survival of 3rd party renal allografts in mongrel dogs given azathioprine and prednisolone, comparable to that produced by whole blood. However, sensitization is produced by the platelet preparation, presumably due to the minimal leukocyte contamination, which might also be responsible for the suppressive effect of this platelet pretreatment protocol.